Edmonton LRT hits tunnel construction milestone

In Edmonton, AB, Canada, tunneling crews working on the North Light Rail Transit (LRT) to Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) project broke through the wall at Churchill Station, connecting the North LRT with Edmonton's existing light-rail network.

While North LRT construction is highly visible on Edmonton streets, the project's most significant milestone to date was achieved below ground. A dedicated crew has been working around the clock since January 2012, digging twin tunnels between 105 Avenue and Churchill Station through which light-rail will start running in 2014.

"The government of Canada is proud to have invested in this important job-creating project to expand Edmonton's light-rail transit system," said the Honorable Rona Ambrose, minister of Public Works and Government Services, minister for Status of Women and member of Parliament for Edmonton-Spruce Grove. "We will continue to support local infrastructure priorities that promote growth, job creation and economic prosperity right here in Edmonton."

In addition to the completion of the North LRT tunnel, this year's work included construction of all surface track for the North LRT and foundation work for the Grant MacEwan, Kingsway/Royal Alex and NAIT LRT stations. Development of the stations will continue over the winter months.

The CA$755-million (US$787-million) project was jointly funded by the government of Canada, the government of Alberta and the city of Edmonton. The government of Canada is contributing up to CA$100 million (US$100.2 million) from the Building Canada Fund. The province of Alberta is contributing CA$497 million (US$498 million) in GreenTRIP funding and the city of Edmonton is contributing CA$158 million (US$158.4 million).